The son of Major Robert H. F. and Charlotte E. Hickey, Charles Robert Reeves Hicky, like his father, served with the 11th Canadian Mounted Rifles before he transferred to the Royal Naval Air Service. He was posted to 4 Naval Squadron in August 1917. A Sopwith Camel pilot, he scored 4 victories before the Royal Air Force was formed on 1 April 1918. On 21 April 1918, he forced down a Rumpler C near Wulpen and after landing beside it, was attempting to protect his prize from Belgian citizens when the German aircraft exploded killing several bystanders and injuring Hickey. A month later, he was back in action, scoring twelve more victories before he was killed in a mid-air collision with another Sopwith Camel.

Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC)

Lt. Charles Robert Reeves Hickey.
Has been engaged in numerous air battles with marked success during a period of twelve months. On a recent occasion he flew to the assistance of one of our machines which was being pressed by two enemy machines and succeeded in destroying one of them.

Lieut. (T./Capt.) Charles Robert Reeves Hickey, D.F.C., Sea Patrol (Can. Mtd. Rif.).
A very determined air fighter who has destroyed seven enemy machines and brought down nine completely out of control during the past three months. His skill and initiative as a flight commander have made his flight very successful. Last month he destroyed two machines and brought down two more out of control in one day, and the remainder of his flight, at the same time succeeded in disposing of several more enemy aircraft without sustaining any casualties.